Exercise load query

You said earlier that your Vigorous minutes start at 143bpm.

Where did you get this piece of information from ?

Yes, so here is the issue: you have overriden Garmin's calculations and toggled on "Use Heart Rate Zones" and then selected manually Zone 3 and 4 for Moderate and Vigorous, so obviously we talk at cross purpose here.

My broader point is that although I sympathise with the frustration, it seems to me that at least some of it is due to the fact that you are not - and I mean no disrepect - clear about a few things which are quite critical (in particular the fact that you must register time above your lactate threshold to trigger some anaerobic benefit, this is a very big one).

I don't work for Garmin, I'm a user just like you. You have posted screenshots and commented on them, and I have responded when I thought it was justified to do so. I'm trying to share with you some things which you can explore to get a better experience out of your watch.  I believe  it's possible. 

Sure, i get all that. And I appreciate your thoughts, no worries.

I know that I have overriden the Garmin setup, simply because I feel, vigorous should be vigorous. I do not consider Zone3 as vigorous. 

And I also understand all the other stuff. I am a licensed tennis coach of second highest national level and went through quite a lot of training on physiology, sports science, nutrition etc.

What frustrates me is the erratic way data is being used and interpreted by Garmin. The recommendations are too often simply false and misleading. 

And I simply do not get how a super exhausting workout on a rower does not get me over 155bpm, but any kind of average cycling or running session does without feeling too exhausting. 

Regarding the last bit IMO you could try to confirm that 155bpm is correct. Assume both the IR sensor and the chest strap are inoperable, you seem to be an advanced athlete, surely there should be someone around you who could lend his device. Or perhaps you can use a blood pressure monitor if you have one ? Their HR data are in general very accurate nowadays. But if the 155bpm is correct, then I don't think it has much to do with the watch itself ! Garmin can't know why you're more efficient in some sports and less in others. In fact I can relate to this: I row, I believe I have a decent, fairly well optimised technique. BUT, I am a terribly cyclist, and an  even worse runner. Man I do not believe I can jog more than 10 minutes, while I could row at a higher HR for a very long time. But again, not a Garmin problem.

I took a little break and went into a harder workout refreshed. 8x2min at max effort. I was almost puking at the end of each interval and still no further than 155bpm while rowing my heart out. I could not even breath anymore

When running or cycling I easily go beyond 165bpm and all is fine.

So eventually after working out really hard I got a frustrating 51 load and 2,6 base result... no anaerobic at all. And it was really a hard workout at max effort, yes, 2min is short, but I could no way go further. 

I do get that I need to get beyond my 155bpm lactate threshold... but obviously while rowing this threshold seems to be lower than 155bpm... I cant change the HR zones for rowing, just for cycling, running and swimming.... so what now? My main sport is rowing, how to get a right HR zone setup and proper data?

rentagreement said:

I was almost puking at the end of each interval and still no further than 155bpm while rowing my heart out. I could not even breath anymore

When running or cycling I easily go beyond 165bpm and all is fine.

Have you considered discussing this with the folks on Concept 2's forum <here> ? I'm a member over there and IMO a better place to investigate your particular problem.Something is obviously happening. Below my intervals on Saturday morning, I increased from 5 to 6. Just to mention that this is a hard exercise for me, and I feel a little sick to the stomach. In general right from the first interval. Let alone at the 6th lol. That's all I do over the w/e re exercising.

One thing I notice is that you let your HR drops to 100 between intervals. I'm not an expert but isn't this a little low ? Because your intervals are quite short (2 min), is this enough time to climb meaningfully closer to MaxHR in the first place ?...

In my case my intervals are 750meters (about 3min15s) and I'm starting them at a recovery HR of about 130.

No, i am not on the C2 Forum.They might burn me there since I am a Waterrower user.

Please understand that my problem simply is, that I do not see how to raise my pulse further than 155bpm on the rower. There is simply no way I can do that - I am already close to puking and cant breath anymore. So it does not matter how quickly I recover or how much my HR drops... My max effort does not carry me further than 155.

But this is just on the rower... on the bike and while running it is easily possible to get to 165-170.

Obviously I seem to have different HR zones for rowing resp. cycl/run. Now what? 

(btw: a load of 321 for 45min of workout seems super ridiculously high, I have never seem something like that)

rentagreement said:

No, i am not on the C2 Forum.They might burn me there since I am a Waterrower user.

No they won't. Many, many of the posters on C2's forum row on water too. It's a no-nonsense friendly bunch.

I understood what your problem is, my suggestion is to go to C2 and talk to the guys there: you have a rowing problem, talk to the rowing guys. Nothing to do with your watch. I bet the very first thing they will ask you to do is post a video of you rowing to check on your technique. How do I know that ? Because they do that with every newcomer who comes with a performance problem. Happened to me too and I hugely benefited. I never left this forum after that. I am sharing with you my positive experience because I believe this is the kind of group that could help you. Up to you to try.